Concert Review: Maps & Atlases

Maps & Atlases is a Math-Rock ensemble that I had the pleasure of seeing about a week ago. They recently released a new EP entitled "You And Me And The Mountain." The album can be heard in its entirety below.



They played three shows in Maine, the one I was able to attend was at the SPACE Gallery in Portland. The SPACE Gallery is an immensely small and intimate locale that combines aspects of an art museum and bar. Those who haven't been there should definitely take the time to check it out.

The band took little time to introduce themselves. Lead vocalist Dave Davison simply stated "Hi, we're Maps & Atlases." and they immediately broke into "Witch," the first song from their new EP. The crowd's response to this was overwhelmingly positive. They proceeded to play almost every track from the album, as well as a good chunk of their earlier songs. Davison would occasionally stop between songs to humbly thank the audience for supporting the band.

Many of the songs featured non-traditional (i.e. not 4/4) time signatures as well as a great deal of guitar tapping. The combination of the bass, lead, and rhythm guitarist tapping, with the drummer occasionally playing a xylophone, endowed several of their songs with a beautiful, harmonious, yet simultaneously bizarre and offbeat sound. The vocalist pierced through this surreal harmony with his powerful (albeit slightly nasally) voice.

Needless to say, the group has a very unique sound.

Since the venue was so small, the whole band just kinda hung out at the end of the show. At this point, fans could ask for autographs, buy merchandise, or just talk with the members of the band. Everything seemed to be going well until one kid sneakily approached the merchandise table, stole a couple shirts, and ran out. A friend of mine saw this and was able to notify the band's drummer, at which point the whole band ran outside and circled the thief. He gave up the stolen merchandise without much of a fight.

Looking back at that night, the members of Maps & Atlases were able to show us all that not only are they each incredible musicians in their own right, but also that they're very kind, humble, and down to earth people.